Getting There: Why repair Latham Circle right before reconstruction?

TIM O'BRIEN

Updated 6:58 am, Monday, February 11, 2013

Q: Has the state Department of Transportation explained why they are doing major, expensive repairs to the concrete at and on Latham Circle when in a month or so construction will begin on a total replacement of the circle? Could it be they're merely spending funds left over from the 2012-2013 budget? I look forward to reading Ms. Breen's spin on this.

A: You can call it spin if you wish, but we here at Getting There Central are grateful that oft-quoted DOT spokeswoman Carol Breen is always good about answering our readers' questions. We struggle to get replies from some of our other sources (not that we're going to name any names right now), but never the DOT.

As for your question, Breen replied that the emergency repairs were needed to keep traffic safe until the major renovation begins.

"We recently completed approximately $10,000 in essential concrete repairs on the Latham Circle," she said. "The repairs needed to be done immediately in order to keep the traveling public safe and ensure the bridges could continue being used."

The DOT does have plans for much more extensive repairs this year. The steel structures and concrete decks on the bridges through the circle will be replaced, as will the bridge railing. The ramps will be repaved, the concrete pavement and retaining walls along Route 9 will be repaired, and Route 2 will be resurfaced. Approximately 1,400 feet of sidewalk along Route 2 will be added from Old Loudon Road to connect with existing sidewalk at Herbert Drive.

"Since the bridges at this location are aging and beginning to deteriorate, we have scheduled a $7.4 million project to rehabilitate them," Breen said. "That work will begin in the spring, as weather allows, and is expected to be completed by the end of the year."

Q: Why is the speed limit reduced to 55 mph on the Northway south of Exit 8A, as a very small percentage of drivers observe it?

A: It may be one highway, but there are different circumstances that lead to divergent speed limits.

"The speed limit on the Northway was increased to 65 miles per hour north of Exit 8 in Saratoga County in 1995," Breen said. "Since that speed limit increase, we have reviewed a potential speed limit increase south of Exit 8 but found safety concerns."

More Information

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Hot spots

What to watch for this week:

Dunn Memorial Bridge, Albany to Rensselaer: One westbound lane will be closed each day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Western Gateway Bridge, Scotia to Schenectady: One lane will be closed in each direction on the Western Gateway Bridge carrying Route 5 over the Mohawk River between Scotia and Schenectady. One lane in each direction will remain open. The lane closures will accommodate bridge repairs and will remain in place through next year.

Ferry Street, Troy: The street is reduced to one lane between Walter F. Uccellini Avenue and Eighth Street.

In addition, the highway geography is less conducive to a higher speed limit, especially at the Twin Bridges, she said. There are also more frequent exits on that end of the highway, which means motorists change lanes more often.

For those reasons, she said, the state has kept the speed limit at 55.

Of course, we'll add, that doesn't mean drivers obey those limits. But if the conventional wisdom is that drivers go 10 miles per hour faster than the limit, a lower limit would still have an impact.

"Getting There" is compiled by staff writer Tim O'Brien. Do you have a question about transportation? Call 454-5020 or email gettingthere@timesunion.com. Please include your name, town and telephone number.